Public Safety

About Pima County

Earthquake

How to prepare

Keep and maintain a disaster supply kit in an easy-to-access location

Pre identify safe places in each room of your home, workplace and/or school. A safe place could be under a piece of furniture or against an interior wall away from windows, bookcases or tall furniture that could fall on you

Practice "Drop, Cover, and Hold On!" in each safe place

Keep a flashlight and sturdy shoes by each person’s bed

Bolt and brace water heaters and gas appliances to wall studs

Bolt bookcases, china cabinets and other tall furniture to wall studs

Hang heavy items, such as pictures and mirrors, away from beds, couches and anywhere people sleep or sit

Learn how to shut off the gas valves in your home and keep a wrench handy for that purpose

What to do during an earthquake

If you are inside when the shaking starts…

Drop, Cover, and Hold on! Move as little as possible

If you are in bed, stay there, curl up and hold on. Protect your head with a pillow

Stay away from windows to avoid being injured by shattered glass

Stay indoors until the shaking stops and you are sure it is safe to exit. If you must leave the building after the shaking stops, never use an elevator, always use the stairs

If you are outside when the shaking starts…

Find a clear spot, away from buildings, power lines, trees and streetlights, and drop to the ground. Stay there until the shaking stops

If you are in a vehicle, pull over to a clear location and stop. Avoid bridges, overpasses and power lines if possible. Stay inside with your seat belt fastened until the shaking stops. Then, drive carefully, avoiding bridges and ramps that may have been damaged

If a power line falls on your vehicle, do not get out. Call 911 and wait for assistance

If you are in an area near unstable slopes be alert for falling rocks and other debris

What to do after an earthquake

Check yourself for injuries and get first aid, if necessary, before helping injured or trapped persons

After an earthquake, the disaster may continue. Expect and prepare for potential aftershocks, landslides, hazardous materials releases, wide spread utility outages, and other potential threats

Each time you feel an aftershock Drop, Cover, and Hold On! Aftershocks frequently occur minutes, days, weeks and even months following an earthquake

Put on long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, sturdy shoes and work gloves to protect against injury from broken objects

Look quickly for damage in and around your home and get everyone out if your home is unsafe

Listen to a portable, battery operated or hand-crank radio for updated emergency information and instructions

Check the telephones in your home or workplace to see if you can get a dial tone. Make only brief calls to report life-threatening emergencies

Look for and extinguish small fires. Fire is the most common hazard after an earthquake